Swindon Town 2-1 Port Vale match report – McKirdy double but Wilson goal gives Port Vale hope
Swindon Town 2-1 Port Vale: James Wilson kept the Valiants in play-off contention with a late strike after a double from former Vale striker Harry McKirdy for the home side.
Manager Darrell Clarke made two changes with David Worrall coming in for Chris Hussey and Harry Charsley for Jamie Proctor with youngster Ryan Edmondson starting ahead of Jamie Proctor.
The Valiants were grateful to goalkeeper Aidan Stone who made three strong saves, two from Payne and another from a long-range effort from Jonny Williams. However, Stone was helpless when former Valiant Harry McKirdy headed in from a 25th minute corner to give the home side the lead. McKirdy then earned the ire of the Vale players and fans when a blatant dive in the last minute of the half went unpunished.
Vale were mainly reduced to half-chances with a Ben Garrity long-range drive going over early on and Harry Charsley nearly taking advantage of hesitation in the Swindon backline. Most of the Vale’s best work came down the left flank with Gibbons and Hall interchanging well.
However, after a slow start, it was the home side who finished the half the stronger as Vale managed to keep the deficit to just one goal.
Half-time: Swindon Town 1-0 Port Vale
Vale made a change early on with Jake Taylor coming on to replace Charlsey. The Valiants started the half well with chances going wide by Smith and Wilson. Darrell Clarke then brought on Jamie Proctor for Edmondson with Vale looking for an equaliser.
The home side were then inches away from a second on the hour mark when the ball was whipped across the box and McKirdy almost connected from close range. Vale countered with a shot by Proctor which was comfortably saved.
Aidan Stone then produced a good save on 68 minutes only for the ball to drop to McKirdy who hammered home his second of the match to put Swindon firmly in control. It was almost 3-0 moments later when poor play in the Vale defence allowed Davidson through but fortunately for Vale fans his effort was wide.
Swindon could regret that miss as Darrell Clarke’s side countered with a move which saw James Wilson tap in from close range to make it 2-1 after 83 minutes. There was a further chances late on for Proctor and Hall as Vale finished strongly.
The Valiants will start as slight underdogs on Thursday night but it could have been much tougher without that all-important late Wilson goal.
Full-time: Swindon Town 2-1 Port Vale
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THIS FEATURE – CLICK HERE TO POST A COMMENTMatch stats
Port Vale: Stone; Smith, Martin (Benning), Hall; Worrall, Pett, Garrity, Charsley (Taylor), Gibbons; Wilson, Edmondson (Proctor)
Subs: Covolan, Amoo, Harratt, Robinson
Port Vale bookings: Charsley
Attendance: 14,086 (2,200 visitors)